The mission of Advocates for Immigrant Rights (AIR) is to fight for the dignity, safety, and inclusion of immigrants in the United States, especially those most marginalized, through legal representation and advocacy.

They fight for the rights of immigrants but also for the expansion of those rights to ensure that all people are equally protected by the laws of the United States. AIR seeks to create structural and systemic change by coordinating with other legal service providers and community-based organizations to complement our skills and build our mutual capacity. Their service model inherently provides for relationships that will propel our work and the work of our partners.

Position:

The Detention Staff Attorney will be part of a team focused on challenging the immigration
system through direct representation in removal proceedings, BIA and federal circuit appeals,
with an eye towards identifying issues for litigation and advocacy efforts, primarily in service of
our clients who are detained in Louisiana and Mississippi. The position will be full-time and may
either work out of our Memphis office or remotely in Louisiana, Mississippi or Arkansas within a
five to six hour radius of central Louisiana.

Responsibilities:

• Support AIR’s legal work by handling an active caseload before immigration agencies
• and federal courts, both detained and non-detained, depending on need
• Communicate effectively with clients, colleagues, and community
• Supervise support staff
• Participate in and collaborate in creating strategy for systemic change
• Engage in work with partner organizations to advance media outreach, advocacy, policy,
• and litigation
• Help maintain relationships with pro bono counsel, the private bar, partner organizations,
• and community groups

Qualifications:

• Working knowledge of Spanish required, fluency strongly preferred
• A J.D. degree and admission to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction required
• 1-3 years of relevant legal experience required (clerkships count towards years of
• experience.)
• Prior experience working on behalf of immigrants strongly preferred
• Excellent legal strategy, analysis, drafting, and editing skills
• Excellent oral communication skills, including in both legal advocacy and broader public
• communication
• Ability to work independently and within a team
• Ability to effectively prioritize tasks and meet deadlines
• Ability, willingness, and energy to travel to detention centers across Louisiana and West
• Mississippi and reliable transportation
• A developed race and equity lens that informs your work and guides your leadership
• Commitment to supporting the development of a program that utilizes litigation, policy,
• and media strategy creatively in the fight for systemic change

How to Apply:

To apply, send a cover letter, resume and references to advocates@airlegal.org using the subject line “Staff Attorney Application.”